Brown v. Board of Education Scholarship Program
The Brown v. Board of Education Scholarship Program was established in accordance with § 30-231.8 of the Code of Virginia for the purpose of providing a public education to persons who were denied an education in the public schools of Virginia between 1954 and 1964, in jurisdictions in which the public schools were closed to avoid desegregation.
Eligibility for Scholarship
The application window for the 2025–2026 academic year opens on January 15, 2025.
In 2023, the General Assembly passed HB 1419 and SB 1498, effective July 1, 2023, extending scholarship eligibility to the descendants of persons eligible under the scholarship program's original criteria. You are eligible to apply for a scholarship if you are a current domiciled resident of the Commonwealth of Virginia as defined by § 23.1-502 , and:
1. Between 1954 and 1964, you were:
- A student in the public schools of Arlington, Charlottesville, Norfolk, Prince Edward County, or Warren County when the public schools were closed to avoid desegregation;
- Unable to begin, continue, or complete your public school education during this time;
- Relocated within or outside of the Commonwealth to begin, continue, or complete your public school education during these years due to school closings to avoid desegregation;
- Ineligible to attend a private academy or foundation, in- or out-of-state, established to circumvent desegregation; or
- Unable to pursue postsecondary education opportunities or training because of the inability to obtain a high school diploma or its equivalency; or
2. Are lineal or collateral descendants of persons described in 1. Lineal descendants include children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Collateral descendants include nieces and nephews and their lineal descendants.
In evaluating applications of descendants, the Committee will prioritize applicants based on degree of relationship to the directly affected individual.
How to Apply for a Scholarship
Applicants must be able to prove that they are current residents of the Commonwealth of Virginia at the time of application for the scholarship.
- Documents accepted to establish Virginia domicile. One of the following documents at least one year old:
- Current Virginia driver’s license or identification card
- Current Virginia vehicle registration
- Virginia voter registration card
- Affirmation that you filed a state income tax return in Virginia
- An applicant must meet the eligibility criteria for awards established by law.
- An applicant must request, complete, and return an application form, together with appropriate documents to establish domicile and residency in Virginia by the application deadline.
- An applicant must provide a copy of the letter of admission or acceptance to the program to which he has applied, or in which he is currently enrolled that meets the qualifications of the scholarship program.
- An applicant must sign an acceptance form affirming the accuracy of the information he has provided and that he agrees to pursue the approved education program for which the scholarship is awarded until his graduation or the completion of the program, as appropriate.
- An applicant applying for a scholarship must request, complete, and return the application form by the application deadline, verify Virginia domicile and residency, enrollment in an approved education program, and progress toward program completion.
- An applicant seeking readmission to the Program and reinstatement of the scholarship award must submit a written statement explaining the extenuating circumstances that contributed to his withdrawal and request reinstatement of the award. If the award is rescinded due to academic suspension, the applicant must also submit documentation of his reinstatement in good academic standing from the approved education program.